BROOKFIELD Trustees try again on zoning

BROOKFIELD -- Township trustees have agreed to again place a zoning issue on the ballot. Trustees J. Phillip Schmidt and Gary P. Lees approved a resolution Thursday placing the issue on the Nov. 5 general-election ballot. Trustee Janalyn K. Saloom was absent. This will be the fourth time since 1982 that zoning appears on the ballot. The last time was in 2001, when it was defeated by 169 votes. "It was close last time. We decided to put it back on one more time," Schmidt said. Opponents contend zoning is just another way government controls them and the use of their property. Schmidt said zoning is in the best interest of the township because "growth is uncontrolled." Surrounding communities have zoning that controls where businesses such as junkyards or sexually oriented establishments can be located, while Brookfield has no controls, Schmidt asserted. The zoning would be based on a plan completed by the Trumbull County Planning Commission. It includes an inventory of such items as land use and infrastructure. Basically, the northern and southwest portions of the township would remain residential, and the southeast portion would remain residential and industrial. The business district would be centered at state Routes 82 and 7. Existing businesses would remain where they are if zoning is approved, Schmidt said. Brookfield is one of only four townships in Trumbull County without zoning.